Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 62-610.567 - Reliability and Operator Staffing

(1) A minimum of Class I reliability, as described in paragraph 62-610.300(1)(a), F.A.C., shall be provided at all domestic wastewater treatment facilities providing reclaimed water for ground water recharge and i surface water discharges, which are regulated by Part V of this chapter. In addition to the rules set forth in Chapters 62-600, 62-610 and 62-625, F.A.C., the requirements in Chapter 62-565, F.A.C., shall apply when reclaimed water is used as a water source for a potable reuse system.

(a) The Department shall approve alternative levels of treatment facility reliability if the applicant provides reasonable assurances in the engineering report that the facility will provide a level of reliability equivalent to Class I reliability. Class I reliability shall not be required if a permitted alternate treatment or discharge system exists which has sufficient capacity to handle any reclaimed water flows which do not meet the performance criteria established for the reuse system.

(b) Deviations in the Class I reliability requirements, as described in paragraph 62-610.567(1)(a), F.A.C., shall not be allowed for water reclamation facilities for which full treatment and disinfection are required.

(2) The engineering and instrumentation design for the wastewater treatment facilities that are required to meet full treatment and disinfection shall include fail safe "lock-out" capabilities which will ensure that operational problems jeopardizing the quality of the reclaimed water will result in immediate shut-down or diversion of potentially unacceptable quality water. The operating protocol shall require positive operator verification that the problem has been corrected before reclaimed water will be allowed to be sent to system storage or to the reuse system. The following parameters shall be subject to the fail safe "lock-out" provisions:

(a) Turbidity.

(b) Chlorine residual (or other disinfectant dose or residual).

(c) Failure of the chlorination (or other disinfection) system to deliver the disinfectant.

(d) Failure to meet the chlorine contact time requirements.

(e) Failure to feed coagulant, while the chemical feed system is activated.

(3) Except as provided in subsection 62-610.567(4), F.A.C., domestic wastewater treatment facilities which are not required to provide full treatment and disinfection shall be staffed by a Class C or higher operator 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. The lead/chief operator shall be at minimum Class B, or higher if required by Chapter 62-699, F.A.C.

(4) The minimum staffing requirement at the wastewater treatment facility shall be reduced to staffing by a Class C or higher operator 6 hours per day, 7 days per week, unless Chapter 62-699, F.A.C., requires additional operator presence or a higher level of operator. The lead/chief operator shall be at minimum Class C, or higher if required by Chapter 62-699, F.A.C. This minimum staffing requirement shall be allowed only in conjunction with at least one of the following:

(a) Diversion of acceptable quality reclaimed water to the reuse system only during periods of operator presence.

(b) Other provisions for increased reliability.

(5) Domestic wastewater treatment facilities which are required to provide full treatment and disinfection shall be staffed by a Class C or higher operator 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. The lead/chief operator shall be at minimum Class A. No reductions in this operator staffing requirement shall be allowed.

Notes

Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 62-610.567

Rulemaking Authority 403.051, 403.061, 403.087 FS. Law Implemented 403.021, 403.051, 403.061, 403.062, 403.085, 403.086, 403.087, 403.088 FS.

New 4-4-89, Amended 4-2-90, Formerly 17-610.567, Amended 1-9-96, 8-8-99, Amended by Florida Register Volume 47, Number 051, March 16, 2021 effective 4/1/2021, Amended by Florida Register Volume 51, Number 028, February 11, 2025 effective 2/26/2025.

New 4-4-89, Amended 4-2-90, Formerly 17-610.567, Amended 1-9-96, 8-8-99, 4-1-21.